Forum Moderators: not2easy
I've found one excellent thread which covers the layering and the blending:
Seamless collaging of images
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I can't figure out how to move and resize "oversize" photos in my layers as I'm building the collage.
I'd like to keep the working photos larger than the final header image I'm building, so that when I do adjust them under the text layer, I don't come to the edge of a picture because I've already cropped it to fit the image size.
I can imagine that one way of doing this would be to work on a large canvas and have a top mask layer that has an opening the size of my final image... eventually cropping it when I'm done... but I'll bet there's an easier way.
All hints and working suggestions welcome. I'll be using PS 5.5 for Windows.
top mask layer
thats the key right there.
but you dont need the mask on a seperate layer.
you need to use the 'add layer mask' function to the photos layers, this lets you 'paint in' the areas of the layer you wish to see. > black is fully transparent and white is opaque, with varying degrees of opacity for the greys in between. you can then move the photos around (unlink them from the mask first) to get the effect your after.
ben
top mask layer
benihana - Thanks. I want to make sure we're talking about the same thing... When I mention the "top mask layer," I'm not talking about hiding parts of the photos from each other. Yes, I'll be doing that too.
As I envisioned it, I'd have some sort of master "framing mask," on top, above all of the photos I'm working with. The frame would let me see just what comes through in the final finished area... but also would let me see, if I needed to, the parts of the active photo that are larger than this final finished area.
In addition, there would be blending masks for individual layers. As I saw it, I might want to change the order of the individual layers, but the top "framing" layer would always be on top.
It sounds like what you're suggesting is a separate framing mask for each photo. This would let me view all photos in the collage-in-progress within the finished area, and also choose which individual photo to view beyond the finished area, even when all the photo layers are visible inside the finished area. Am I stating this clearly and accurately?
Issues that come to mind, if I have a separate framing mask for each layer, are what are the best ways to keep the framing masks all locked together (I never want them to move), how best to copy such a mask from one photo to another, and what happens if I decide I want to change the mask size.... I hope this isn't too complicated to follow.
I've hardly used layers, and I've never stacked them like this, so I need some thoughts on best practices to keep me from getting into too much trouble. I understand the theory, but I don't know the program interface that well, so I'd like to keep as simple as I can. ;)
1) create an empty bottom layer and make a selection in it the size of the finished graphic area your after (the canvas will have to be bigger than the graphic). fill this are with a flat color. (the desired background color of your graphic if applicable)
2) add your photos to the layers above this background -one on each layer.
3) select each photo layer in turn, and select 'group with previous' from the layers menu ( shortcut: ctrl + g)
4)now only the parts of the photos that are directly covering the filled area on the bottom layer will show.
5) you can now use the add layer mask function on each photo layer to paint bits out and get a smooth transition (hint: use the gradient tool on the layer masks to get smooth transition)
points:
i) give your layers meaningful names as soon as you create them - it makes it much easier to keep track.
ii)when you 'add layer mask' you get an additional thumbnail next to the layer thumb nail in the layer pallette - this is the mask. by default it is linked to the layer and will move when the layer moves - if you click the link icon between the two thumbs you will unlink it and can move them sepearatly. to work on a mask you need to click thaty masks thumbnail (your colors in the tool pallete will turn black and white) to work directly on the layer you need to click back on the layer thumbnail.
iii) layers are the power of photoshop. have your layer pallette open all the time and get used to working with them.
hope this makes sense - if you want any clarificatio just shout.
ben
The bright "finished target" area on the bottom layer is a great idea if the photos are partially transparent. I'm not sure how to make them partially transparent, and how to manage this scheme with very many layers of photos. I'm going to want to see the pictures in relation to each other and to the finished target. I keep thinking that I need some sort of "edge of the frame" indication in a transparent top layer with a frameline boundary, but I'm not sure.
Also, I'm occasionally going to want to see the areas of the photos that are outside the finished target, and will want to know where the edges of the target are. Any suggestions on how to do this with the plan you suggest?
One more probably elementary Photoshop question, but I can't find it anywhere... What's the best way to shift layers up and down in a stack of layers?
you could use a top layer to show the edges - or you could use guides (assuming your base is rectangular-ish) - to use a guide press ctrl + r so you have your rulers showing at the edge of the image then just click in the ruler and drag a guide out.
to see the parts of images outside the edge of the target area - youll have to ungroup the layer, and then regroup afterwards.
to shift layers up and down in the stacking just click the layer in the layer palllette and drag up or down.
ben
